Neighborhood Planning Council 11 - Lakeview east

NPC 11 September 25, 2019 Meeting Agenda Minges Brook/Riverside Neighborhood Planning Council (NPC) #11 Central Christian Church - 713 Riverside Drive Battle Creek, MI 49015 1. 7:00 PM – Welcome and opening – Tate Trujillo 2. Attendance sheet (Members are in BOLD UPPERCASE): TATE TRUJILLO, FRAN O’NEIL, FRANK EGLAND, LEAH ORTIZ, HELEN LARDER, Pat Fosdick, Lindy Korti, Yolanda Johnson, Chris Lussier, Jim McDonagh, Ryan O’Connell, Elizabeth Insley, Chris Simmons, David Lucas, Ann McHale 3. Additions or deletions to this agenda: None 4. Approval of the June 26 and July 24 meeting minutes distributed via email: NO QUORUM 5. Correspondence sent/received and upcoming events: None 6. City staff reports and Commissioner Comments:  City/County Commissioners’ remarks  Jake Smith – Not Present but did send following message over mosquitoes/EEE: i. MDHHS in conjunction with the County Health Department has determined to proceed with an aerial spray program in order to combat the spread of EEE. wanted to advise that the 'Treatment Zone' has been published by MDHHS and can be found at the link below. Further, the CCHD has setup an EEE Response Line if anyone has any questions or concerns that require their attention. The phone number is 269-969-6852. Currently the line is only scheduled to be manned during regular business hours, which is a problem in my opinion. I'm working to see what I can be done to get it extended and will advise. ii. https://www.michigan.gov/documents/emergingdiseases/EEE_Aerial_Treatment_Zo nes_666895_7.pdf  Chris Simmons i. When is Columbia going to be re-open? 1. Construction is in work, but due to needing to test the underground water pipes, construction needs to verify before resealing the street. It is projected to be completed by early October. ii. Texting and Driving – Ordnance has been enacted, but is not being enforced due to signs not being posted on city limits. There is due to the inbound roads being state controlled and putting up signs is a process for putting on state property. Chris is unsure of when these signs may be put up. iii. Citizen asked about working poor living long-term at hotels (i.e. Econolodge across from Horrocks and other hotels off of Beckley Road) in regards to keeping up standards – Chris response: two actions - an Ordnance and Legal action is being followed for the hotels in question to try to compel those hotels to comply with safety standards as it could pose an immediate threat to health and safety to those staying in the buildings. The Ordnance is still under review. 1. Yolanda Johnson – Has background that sometimes landlords kick the renters out because renter called into code compliance for complaint. 2. Chris Lussier - At point and times – Renting is tough on both renter and Tenant. At certain times in the year, Post-Franklin neighborhood is 50% delinquent on taxes. 3. Matthew Desmond “Evicted” – good book that talks about this process on both sides.  iv. Battle Creek Charter Amendments to be put on ballot to vote on in 2020: 1. Have Gender Neutral in charter 2. Still up to put on ballot is voting directly for Mayor. You can email Chris directly if you would like to voice your thoughts, ccsimmons@battlecreekmi.gov 3. Still up to put on ballot on restricting Wards (less at-large, more wards). You can email Chris directly if you would like to voice your thoughts, ccsimmons@battlecreekmi.gov v. Citizen asked two questions but Chris had to depart before able to answer: 1. Vaping in Battle Creek (enforcement/input?) 2. New Provisioning center? Columbia and Capital are there more to come? 3. NPC Chair has forwarded both questions to our City Commissioner but we are both awaiting to hear back from City. Will forward information once received.  Police Department Report  Officer O’Connell – Crime activity is nothing out of ordinary. i. Bridge Closure, I-95 and Capital – Citizen requests increased police presence Early October for a few weeks Christi road will most likely have a lot more traffic. Citizen of NPC does have extra “SLOW DOWN” signs for neighbors on Christi road if wanted. You can email her (Leah) at hannahleah.msw@gmail.com 1. In addition, we have the following message from the City Manager: "We understand this has a big impact on traffic and areas on the re-routes. As an MDOT project, they have been the lead and have determined the re- routes. Based on frequently asked questions, the DPW will have the sign shop looking at the streets on the re-routes to ensure that we have adequate speed limit signs. We are hesitant to install temporary speed humps as requested by some neighbors without having the fire department review as it may impact their response routes. Another concern would be that they typically will slow down traffic in their vicinity but increase speeds in other areas away from them. We also only have two sets of temporary speed humps. We should be able to install them if needed rather quickly. Our plan is to monitor traffic flow closely and discuss with BCFD. Per Deputy Chief Grafton, BCPD has been meeting with DPW to discuss and finalize what the re-routes are going to look like. He has already communicated information to shift lieutenants and BCPD will certainly have officers monitoring the side streets and take enforcement action when needed. Once temporary signs are in place, Deputy Chief Grafton will have the district officer make it a priority to be seen out in those areas. He will also place our radar signs out there as well."  City Representative Report  Yolanda Johnson – Code Compliance i. Property Surveys are ongoing. ii. Expressed hoping to pass along patience with some neighbors and city officials when they are on narrow streets. Sometimes there are no other areas to park when on site in the neighborhoods.  iii. Lone Star Restaurant – In work to get the property cleaned up and have been in contact with owners. Code Compliance has issued ticket to that location for the mess on site. iv. Zoning ordinance is in work to rework – Expected to be done by spring 2020 – Citizens are welcome to come out to workshops. Handout is posted below for more information. v. Citizen asked about Backyard parking – It is allowed for licensed vehicles to park in backyard. 7. Committee reports:  Beautiful Battle Creek Award Nominations – Dave Hawks – For review and approval – NO QUORUM i. Mark L. Osborn, 125 Winston - Beautiful exterior colors – red cedar siding really complements the brick, Well maintained, Very tidy landscaping ii. For next Meeting’s Consideration: 1. Jessica and Don Whitney, 155 S. Lincoln Blvd. – Beautiful paint job and significant refurbishment and upgrades to landscaping.  Neighborhoods and Land Use – John Godfrey – Not Present  NPC 11 Programs – James McDonagh – In work to get city official to speak on Cities Trash/Recycling Contract 8. Old business:  None 9. New business:  Eleven NPC Members coming up for renewal in October, any known to be renewed? o Ann Wyson - no o Christian Plasencia – no o Dan Buscher - yes o Dave Hawks – yes o Don Larder - yes o Helen Larder - yes o Janice Barry - no o Joan Greiger - no o Rachel Johnson - no o Randall Champlin - yes o Rick Baron – no  Monthly informational Program: Chris Lussier, Community Development Manger - City representative will be presenting outreach efforts for Community Development and Neighborhood Needs. o Office manages State/Federal Grants to improve community development and accounts for progress o Every 5 years, office puts together 5 year plan with one year updates to get approved by the commission  New 5 year plan is upcoming that will go in front of commission for approval.  Apart of this process includes getting input for the plan from the community.  Survey will be included with water bill for input.  Survey will also be handed out door-to-door, those that could benefit more from these community development efforts. o See copies of handout below ((((((INCLUDE SCREENSHOTS)))))))) 10. Public Comments: None 11. Members’ comments:  Leah Ortiz – On Lakeview school board – If you have any concerns with the Lakeview school district, feel free to reach out. 269-245-2562.  City utilities (water, trash) bill went up! – what happened? 1. NPC Chair has forwarded question to City Commissioner and we are both awaiting City response. NPC Chair will pass along as soon as we get an answer back. 12. Next meeting: October 23, 2019 at Central Christian Church - 713 Riverside Dr  Program: TBD 13. Adjournment - 8:30PM 14.  CITY OF BATTLE CREEK NEIGHBORHOOD PLANNING COUNCIL (NPC) 11 MEETING PUBLIC COMMENT PROCEDURES & RULES Welcome to this NPC 11 meeting. We appreciate your taking the time to attend. Everyone will be given an opportunity to speak. Question may be ask when the Chairperson or program speaker invites them. Speakers will be provided an opportunity to address the NPC with general comments during the public comment portion of the agenda Please understand that the meeting participants may, or may not, answer questions from the public that are raised during public comments portion of the meeting. In order for us to have an effective meeting, we ask that you abide by the following rules: 1. Please wait for the Chairperson to acknowledge you before you speak. 2. Begin by stating your name and address, and please write down your information on the sign-in sheet. State your comments, opinions, or questions on the issue being discussed and direct them to the Chairperson. 3. To ensure that everyone has time to speak and that we can address other items on today’s agenda, each speaker is ask to limit comments or questions to no more than three (3) minutes at each meeting, except that a speaker’s time may be extended by decision of the Chairperson. Speakers are requested to speak one at a time on any item and to refrain from repeating the comments of previous speakers. 4. Please be respectful of your neighbors and presenters. Again, thank you for taking the time to attend this Neighborhood Planning Council meeting. Minges Brook/Riverside Neighborhood Planning Council (NPC) #11 Calendar of Upcoming NPC Meetings (4th Wednesday of the month unless otherwise noted) Chair: Tate Trujillo Vice Chair: Dan Buscher Secretary: Tate Trujillo All times are 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Location: Central Christian Church - 713 Riverside Drive Battle Creek, MI 49015 DATES: Wed Sept 25th 2019 Wed Oct 23rd 2019 Wed Dec. 4 2019 for combined Nov/Dec meeting Wed Jan 22th 2020 Wed Feb 26th 2020 Wed Mar 25th 2020 NPC 11 meetings have moved to a new location at Central Christian Church – 713 Riverside Drive. This is across the street approximately 1/5th of a mile south of our old meeting location, Riverside Elementary School.